# Alabaster Box (album)

Alabaster Box is the fourth studio album by American singer CeCe Winans. It was released by WellSpring Gospel on October 19, 1999 in the United States. Her debut release on WellSpring, her own label, Winans described Alabaster Box as an "experimental" album for the label before any new artists were signed. It did very well on the charts and included a duet with Take 6. Gospel artist Fred Hammond also took a production turn on the album.

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | |
Allmusic editor Steve Huey found that Alabaster Box "is a return to [Winan's] gospel roots, in contrast to the straight-ahead urban soul of Everlasting Love, and it's a triumphant one. Winans sounds invigorated by the spiritual material, delivering committed performances and commanding vocals. The production sounds very contemporary, if a little slick at times, but that's not likely to bother most fans. Alabaster Box is an excellent album from a terrific talent."

## Personnel

* CeCe Winans – vocals, backing vocals (7)
* Fred Hammond – keyboards (2, 6, 12), bass guitar (2, 6, 10, 12), drum programming (2, 6, 12), backing vocals (6, 7, 10), acoustic guitar (7)
* Kent Hooper – programming (3)
* Michael Linney – programming (3), drum programming (5)
* Jeff Roach – programming (3, 5)
* Tom Howard – acoustic piano (4, 8), string arrangements (4, 8)
* Noel Hall – additional keyboards (6, 10), organ (6)
* Tommie Walker – keyboards (7, 10), drum programming (7, 10)
* Cedric Caldwell – instruments (11)
* Victor Caldwell – instruments (11)
* Darryl Dixon – acoustic guitar (2, 7, 12)
* George Cocchini – guitars (3, 5)
* Dan Needham – drums (3)
* Marvin McQuitty – live drums (6)
* Donald Hayes – saxophone (6)
* Carl Gorodetzky – string leader (4, 8)
* The Nashville String Machine – strings (4, 8)
* Resa Bell – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Bricie Byars – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Miautra Dias – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* PamKeynon M. Donald – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Sherri Edwards – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* LaShonda Lewis – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Tamika Lucas – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Yoshawndala Parker – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Cynthia Pasley – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Bryan Pratt – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Frederick J. Purifoy II – backing vocals (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Lisa Cochran – backing vocals (3, 5)
* Ron Hemby – backing vocals (3, 5)
* Marabeth Jordan – backing vocals (3, 5)
* Christopher Harris – backing vocals (5)
* Jan Harris – backing vocals (5)
* Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – choir (5)
* Carol Cymbala – choir director (5)
* Take 6 – vocals (9)

### Production

* Alvin Love – executive producer, management
* CeCe Winans – executive producer, A&R coordinator
* Fred Hammond – recording (2, 6, 7, 10, 12), mixing (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Ray Hammond – recording (2, 6, 7, 10, 12), mixing (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* James "JB" Baird – engineer (3-5, 8)
* Robert "Void" Caprio – engineer (3, 5)
* Tom Laune – mixing (3-5, 8)
* Todd Robbins – engineer (5)
* Les Pierce – recording (9)
* David Thomas – recording (9)
* Marcelo Pennell – engineer (9)
* Marcus Eason – assistant engineer (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Kevin Wilson – assistant engineer (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* Rob Evans – assistant engineer (3)
* PamKeynon M. Donald – production administration (2, 6, 7, 10, 12)
* PJ Heimmerman – production manager (3-5, 8)
* Dion Velasquez – production manager (3-5, 8)
* Karen Philpott – design
* Michael Gomez – photography
* C.W. Wellspring Entertainment – management

## Charts

| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
| US Billboard 200 | 129 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard) | 5 |
| US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard) | 1 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) | 55 |

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| United States (RIAA) | Gold | 500,000$^^$ |
| $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |||